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I'm sure many of you recognize the picture on the left. Yeah, it's the PS2 or the PlayStation 2. Well, if you do recognize it, how? My answer (and I'm sure a million others answer) is, I remember it as an ultracool gadget i used for gaming, watching movies, and generally showing off. But now? Now it's nothing more than a dusty old box, locked away somewhere I can't remember, like it has been for quite a while . The PS2 has just been left behind in the mad gadget developments over the past few years. Let's face it, it's no longer 'cool' because now, you could play better games or watch movies on a laptop or even on a mobile phone. Nobody is impressed by a guy who bought a PS2 system, only to find that even old games cost 599 Rs. They're not just worth it. Back in 2000-2003, on release, the PS2 created more hype than the PS3 ever could in 2007. Back then, a game console on which online gaming was supported fit the billing for a large number of customers. Companies like Ubisoft and Electronic Arts wanted to develop their games FOR the PS2. When 'EyeToy' was released, it generated a fresh wave of buzz around the console. It was everywhere, and it was making the X-box look bad.

Then came along 2007, and the PS3. It was now a test of time for the PS2. Would it just shrink into nothing like the PSX?

Sony themselves made it evident that they were not going to support the PS2 much in the future, with their words in 2009 :"the life cycle of the PlayStation 2 will continue until demand ceases." And with the advent of touch and motion sensing, and plain progress, demand did cease, fast. The inevitable slide was marked by Sony's decision not to release God Of War III for, or even make a port for it to, the PS2. The longtime benchmark for the quality of the PS2 system was no longer available. Then came a wave of terrific games for PC, PSP, PS3, XBox 360, Wii, NDS but no PS2. It's a long list that include major titles like Assassin's Creed 2, God of War 3, Call Of Duty:MW2, F.3.A.R, and many more.

So, is it the end of the line for the PS2? After playing the PS2 port for NBA 2K11 on my console, it may well be.